Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy has written to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy seeking an urgent inquiry into reports that nearly 40 lakh tonnes of coal, valued at around ₹1,600 crore, may have gone missing from the stocks of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), triggering a fresh political controversy in the state.

In a letter dated June 10, the Union minister urged the Telangana government to ascertain the facts behind media reports alleging the disappearance of coal stocks and determine whether any irregularities had taken place within the state-owned mining company.

He warned that the allegations, if left unexamined, could adversely affect SCCL’s financial health and future growth prospects.

SCCL is jointly owned by the Telangana government and the Centre, with the state holding a 51 per cent stake and the Union government 49 per cent.

The company is one of India’s major coal producers and plays a crucial role in supplying fuel to thermal power plants across the region.

Minister seeks safeguards review

Apart from seeking verification of the alleged coal shortfall, Kishan Reddy called for a broader review of SCCL’s internal monitoring systems, safeguards and control mechanisms.

He suggested the deployment of technology-based monitoring tools and periodic audits to identify operational weaknesses and prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

The minister also referred to SCCL’s financial challenges, noting that the company was already facing pressure due to substantial dues allegedly owed by the Telangana government.

According to the letter, allegations involving coal stocks could further strain the organisation if found to be true.

The issue has quickly snowballed into a political flashpoint. BJP leaders have demanded transparency and accountability, while the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has intensified its attack on the Congress-led Telangana government.

BRS leaders, including K Kavitha and former minister T Harish Rao, have sought a detailed explanation on coal reserves and demanded an independent probe into the matter, with some calling for a CBI investigation.

The Congress government, however, has pushed back against the allegations.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka reportedly dismissed the claims as politically motivated and defended SCCL, describing it as one of Telangana’s most valuable public sector enterprises.

He maintained that the company and its workforce should not be targeted through what he termed misinformation campaigns.

Kishan Reddy has maintained that concerns over coal stock accountability have been raised repeatedly through media reports as well as representations from workers, unions and political parties.

He has urged the chief minister to personally intervene and ensure a transparent assessment of the allegations.

With the BJP pressing for answers, the BRS demanding a deeper investigation and the Congress rejecting the allegations, the controversy surrounding the alleged disappearance of coal worth ₹1,600 crore is set to remain a major political issue in Telangana in the coming days.